LTNS and a question

I doubt that working parole or probation would be considered too dangerous. Now, if you were a homicide detective, or going undercover to investigate gangs, that might be another story. When you work in law enforcement, do you have a choice of department? Or do you have to rotate, initially? Do be aware that some questions could arise about the presence of firearms in the home. In general, firearms are supposed to be stored under lock and key, with the ammunition stored separately. However, as I understand it, some law enforcement personnel may need to have a gun more readily available. You can expect to face lots of questions about how you will prevent your child from gaining access to your gun and accidentally shooting himself or someone else. One good thing about your occupation is that you probably will have to be checked out by the law enforcement agency employing you, to make sure that you have not committed felonies, that you are healthy, and so on. Given that adoption professionals want to be very sure that prospective parents do not have any history of criminal activity and have the physical and emotional capability to handle the demands of parenting an adopted child, I should think that they would appreciate the additional scrutiny. I think that, overall, your occupation will be less of a concern than the fact that you are a single male. It is sad, but true, that single men have to jump through a lot more hoops than single women or married couples do, when it comes to adoption. Single men wanting to adopt may be assumed to be gay, even when they are not, and this can raise one set of problems, since not all agencies are gay-friendly. And, more frequently, single men wanting to adopt may come under more scrutiny as potential pedophiles. Single men, both straight and gay, CAN and DO adopt. However, they must generally be "more qualified" than average, and must be willing to tolerate a lot of questions and skepticism. In general, they will find domestic adoption easier than international adoption, as people in foreign countries are often even more uncomfortable with the idea of men as nurturers than Americans are. But single men have even managed to adopt from certain foreign countries. I wish you good luck in your career and with your adoption. Sharon

About the firearms question, that's one reason I hope to focus on juvenile parole and probation. In GA, juvenile probation/parole officers aren't required to carry firearms. BTW, I know about the hurdles and don't really care. I can navigate them. I have more patience than I have credit for. I've been thinking about this for at least seven years and maybe more. My local government agency has already told me that it's getting easier for single men to adopt, at least in their area. Several other agencies have told me the same thing. Of course, the religious based agencies say the opposite. Please don't think I go into this with blinders on. I don't think it will be easy, but to paraphrase JFK. "We on into this not because it is easy, but because it is hard." I wanted to add: Parole is a separate agency from other state law enforcement. While POs have arrest powers and have to be P.O.S.T. certified, they aren't considered part of regular law enforcement. At least, that's the way it is in Georgia, from what my classes have led me to understand. There's no rotation, in other words. By that, I mean, I will appreciate the child more if he's not easy to bring into my home. All the hoops will only strengthen the blessed feeling when he's in my life. David Of course, I feel that way now. I'll let you know how I feel a few months after it happens. LOL.

WHere I work we licensed for foster care and they did ultimately adopt - cops. so, I am not sure why a probation officer would be a problem.